Unitary foldable music stand



Dec. 13, 1960 W. BERG UNITARY FOLDABLE MUSIC STAND Filed Feb. 5, 1959 INVENTOR. WILL/E BERG 76 ArraR/VEYS United States Patent UNITARY FOLDABLE MUSIC STAND Willie Berg, 4801 Railroad Ave., East Chicago, Ind.

Filed Feb. 5, 1959, Ser. No. 791,427

7 Claims. (Cl. 45121) The present invention is directed to music stands, more particularly to a unitary type which is foldable to form a compact package.

Foldable music stands have previously been known and used. Generally they consisted of a number of individual elements which were fitted together to form the stand. While these have been in use, there is an inconvenience in the necessity for assembling the stand, and there is always the danger of a part being mislaid or lost. There have also been used, foldable music stands which are in a single piece, but generally such stands were of flimsy construction so that they tended to wear out quickly.

The present invention is intended and adapted to overcome the difliculties and disadvantages inherent in devices of the types described, it being among the objects of the present invention to provide a music stand which is compact, which may be readily folded into a small volume and which is unitary in construction.

It is also among the objects of the present invention to provide a device which is sturdy, which is light in weight, and which in use provides a steady rest or table for music.

It is further among the objects of the present invention to provide a device which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, is readily opened and closed, and which is convenient to carry or otherwise transport.

In practicing the present invention, there is provided a fiat surface or table on which the music score is to be placed. The table is inclined to the horizontal, and at the lower edge thereof a guard or retainer for the scores is provided. On the back of the table there are provided three legs, each of which is made of a rod bent in the form of a V and usually made of metal. One of the rods is pivoted across the central portion of the table, and the other two rods are pivoted along opposite sides thereof.

When the music stand is in use all three legs are extended with the apices of the V resting on the floor at such angles that the center of gravity of the table provides a steady support. When the stand is not in use the central leg is folded against the under side of the table and the other two legs are folded inwardly over the first leg. The apices of the three legs are in a small area whereby the music stand can be carried by grasping said apices.

In the accompanying drawing constituting a part hereof, and in which like reference characters indicate like parts,

Fig. l is a perspective view of a stand made in accordance with the present invention and shown in operative position;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view thereof, and

Fig. 4 is a plane view taken from the under side of the table and showing the legs in folded position.

There is provided a rectangular table 1 of suitable material, such as a synthetic fibre board or the like, having hinged at the front edge 2, thereof, a guard or retainer 3.

At the under side 4 of table 1, is a rod 5 in the form of a V, having an apex 6 adapted to rest on the floor. Angled extensions 7 at the free ends of the legs are held in brackets 8 permitting a rotation of leg 5 therein. Stops 9 are formed at the extreme ends of said legs to limit the outward position of leg 5.

As shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, there is provided a rod 19 which is formed in V shape, having an apex 11 adapted to rest on the floor. The V has one relatively short leg and one relatively long leg, as shown particularly in Fig. 3. The short leg has an angular extension 12 at the free end held in bracket 13. The long is has a similar extension 12 held in bracket 13'. Leg in is adapted to swing laterally around the brackets 13 and 13. At the extreme ends of the legs are stops 14 to limit the outward position of leg 10.

A similar leg 15 is provided at the opposite side of table 1, being V in shape and having an apex 16 adapted to rest on the floor. It has the short and long legs which are a duplicate of the legs of element 10. Extensions 17 are held in brackets 18 and 18 formnig hinges or pivots for leg 15. Stops 19 and 19' are formed at the extreme ends of legS 15 serving to limit the outward movement of the leg.

The operation of the device is quite simple and all that is necessary is for the user to open up legs 15 and 10 to their extreme positions and then rotate leg 5 to its extreme position forming a rigid support for the music. It will be seen that the operation of the stand is very simple and that when folded it is convenient to carry or to pack away in a small space. The device is light in weight and is strong so that it can withstand considerable rough handling without damage.

While the invention has been described setting forth a single embodiment thereof, various changes in the details of construction may be made within the spirit of the invention.

For instance, side legs 1t} and 15 may be so constructed as to be movable to a position outside of the side edges of the table. It is not essential that the legs be of V shape, but other forms may be used. The materials of construction may be other than those specified above.

These and other changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, which is to be broadly construed and not to be limited except by the character of the claims appending hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A foldable stand adapted to hold sheet music comprising a relatively flat table, three legs independently hinged to the under side of said table, two of said legs being hinged along opposite edges of said table and adapted to be rotated towards each other to lie adjacent to said under side, the third leg being hinged along said opposite edges of said under side and adapted to be rotated in a direction at about right angles to the direction of rotation of said two legs.

2. A foldable stand according to claim 1 characterized in that each of said three legs is V shaped and the free ends thereof are hinged to said table.

3. A foldable stand according to claim 1 characterized in that each of said two legs is V shaped and the free ends thereof are hinged to said table.

4. A foldable stand according to claim 1 characterized in that each of said two legs is V shaped and the free ends thereof are hinged to said table, one of the V shaped members of each of said legs is longer than the other so that when folded the apices thereof are in substantial contact.

5. A foldable stand according to claim 3 characterized in that said third leg is V shaped, the free ends thereof are hinged to said table between the hinges of said two legs.

a a 2,968,817 a,

4 g 7 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,383,287 Berg Aug. 21, 1945 5 2,808,304 Smith Oct. 1, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,108,866 France r; g i Jan. 18, 1956 

